LSC polls: WT drops from first to third in rankings

August 1, 2006

Freedom Newspapers

RICHARDSON, Texas — The Lone Star Conference has taken a recount.

After releasing its annual football poll in mid-July showing defending West Texas A&M as the South Division favorite with 88 points, a recheck showed the Buffaloes with 78 points and thus coming in third behind Tarleton State (86) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (80).

Nothing else changed in either division of the poll. Eastern New Mexico University was picked for last place in the seven-team South with 30 points.

The LSC released polls last week for volleyball and women’s soccer. Meantime, four conference schools, including ENMU, participate in men’s soccer in the Southwest Soccer Conference and the LSC office also released that poll.

ENMU was chosen for fourth place in the six-team South in volleyball with 59 points, one behind third-place Angelo State. Defending LSC South champion Abilene Christian swept all 17 first-place votes for 102 points, while West Texas A&M was second with 73.

Prior to last season, WT had won the division title every year since 1997 and was 75-1 against the South before last year’s 3-7 mark.

In the North Division, Central Oklahoma took 15 of 18 first-place votes and finished with 123 points to 97 for runnerup Cameron.

In women’s soccer, defending champion Central Oklahoma (214 points) edged Texas A&M-Commerce (213) and West Texas A&M (205) for preseason honors. The Bronchos are seeking their fourth LSC regular-season crown in the past six years.

ENMU, beginning its fourth season of women’s soccer, was picked seventh in the 10-team league with 89 points — ahead of Northeastern State and Texas Woman’s, who tied with 73 points, and Southwestern Oklahoma, which collected 33.

A tight race is also projected in the eight-team SSC, with Midwestern State (119) edging defending champion Incarnate Word by a point to earn the favorite’s nod. Northeastern State was third with 106 points.
ENMU was projected for seventh place with 37 points, ahead of Missouri Southern (30). The Greyhounds are entering their third season of intercollegiate competition.